toxoplasmosis? Having severe anxiety about this.

A little back story. The day of thanksgiving we had family over and such, the weather was so nice, and the the doors (front and back) remained open for a long period of time. People were hanging out and the breeze felt so nice. Well, I guess somewhere between that time a mouse or rat? Got into my house!! We noticed it the day after.. well we set traps but nothing with poison because I have small children and that makes me uncomfortable. My husband suggested we borrow my dads cat (who is still a kitten really, he’s 6 months or less) and that we bring him to our house for a couple of days and surely he would catch the mouse. I without knowing, though yes great idea! My dads cat is a outdoor cat that loves to hunt, which we though would be perfect. I didn’t know that cats, that eat rats are actually is a hugeeee problem for pregnant women! Well we bring the kitten/cat home and it turns out to be this big sweetheart that just wants to cuddle and purr and knead on you. It was strange cause he’s always outside and hardly ever indoors. Anyway I thought it was so cute and the cat even hopped in our bed, we left all doors open inside the house so the cat could hunt. Well all it wanted to do was cuddle in our bed with us we could not get it off! So we gave in. Then I started googling about “why my cat follows me around everywhere and won’t leave me alone” and “cat is obsessed with me” because he was acting extremely clingy towards me and he didn’t even know me... so, google said something about pregnancy could be the cause. Then that lead to some website about toxoplasmosis. And holy shit, I FREAKED out when I started reading!!!! Mostly because the cat had pooped on me a tiny bit when we got home cause our dog scared the crap out of (literally) my dog kept barking at it and stuff. I immediately took of my shirt and tossed it in the washer. And thought nothing of it. But I read this article and holy balls, I didn’t sleep. Idk if anyone here is familiar with it or has read on it before but it sounds scary.

Apparently the testing for it is kinda useless cause it doesn’t give you much of a definite answer and you have to continue to get tested etc etc.. anyway I was up until 5 am worried about it, and also feeling extreme guilt because seriously this cat was SO (significant other) SWEET!!!

I’m concerned now because it walked all over my house, all over my couch, bed, counters etc.. I never thought anything of it at all!! The cat was only in our home for 24 hours and didn’t use the litter box not even once so that’s a relief right?!

Comments (20)

Toxoplasmosis is present in feces that has been sitting around for at least 24 hours. I’m sure you washed the poop off of you right away. You’re not going to get toxoplasmosis from a cat just being in your house. It doesn’t sound like you have anything to worry about.

Toxoplasmosis is present in feces that has been sitting around for at least 2...

Posted
11/25/2018

Toxoplasmosis is present in feces that has been sitting around for at least 24 hours. I’m sure you washed the poop off of you right away. You’re not going to get toxoplasmosis from a cat just being in your house. It doesn’t sound like you have anything to worry about.

I miss the kitty, and I want to bring it back because I really believe it will get rid of my mouse problem.. but the anxiety of toxo is stopping me from having him here. What should I do?

So first let me say that I am a certified Vet Tech that works in a small animal clinic and I have cats in my house right now. I have also had a long talk with my doctor about toxoplasmosis because of were I work. Cats are safe to be around as long as you don’t play with the poop that is over 24 hours old. It takes toxo about 24 hours to come out of the poop to possible contaminate you. And as long as you use good hygiene (wash you hand and don’t eat the poop) you are safe. I clean up poop all the time and have a higher chance to get worms from the poop than toxo. I still clean my litter box at home , twice a day, so I am not messing with old poop and wash my hands very very well afterward. And I was tested for toxoplasmosis and came up negative which means it have never been exposed that it.

Toxoplasmosis is present in feces that has been sitting around for at least 2...

Posted
11/25/2018

Toxoplasmosis is present in feces that has been sitting around for at least 24 hours. I’m sure you washed the poop off of you right away. You’re not going to get toxoplasmosis from a cat just being in your house. It doesn’t sound like you have anything to worry about.

This. My sister is a vet tech and can confirm. The only real danger is if you are cleaning out litter boxes. If you got poop on you and washed it off you will be just fine.

I miss the kitty, and I want to bring it back because I really believe it wil...

Posted
11/25/2018

I miss the kitty, and I want to bring it back because I really believe it will get rid of my mouse problem.. but the anxiety of toxo is stopping me from having him here. What should I do?

Just bring the cat back. Just don’t change its litter (though even that isn’t as big of a deal as its made out to be) and wash your hands frequently. Plenty of people have outdoor/hunting cats and have babies and they’re fine. You can also get toxoplasmosis from gardening, but no one tells pregnant women not to garden. Don’t stress!

I have had cats during everyone of my pregnancies. I was the sole caregiver of the cats which meant cleaning their boxes. I never once was worried about it. Its not like I'm rubbing the poop on my hands or touching it bare handed. I use a scoop and wash my hands when done. Simple. Enjoy the kitty.

I have two cats and didn’t get infected last pregnancy and I’m not worried this pregnancy. Sometimes I use gloves to change the litter box, sometimes I just wash my hands really really well. Just don’t clean their poop box and go eat your dinner without washing your hands. You’ll be fine having a cat around!

Just don't change the litter and wash your hands. I didn't change my cats litter to begin with (hubbys job lol) and don't even think twice about snuggling and loving my kitty. I wouldn't worry. Just use common sense hygiene practices.

This Internet site provides information of a general nature and is designed for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your own health or the health of your child, you should always consult with a physician or other healthcare professional. Please review the Terms of Use before using this site. Your use of the site indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use.

This site is published by BabyCenter, L.L.C., which is responsible for its contents as further described and qualified in the Terms of Use.

You are passing a message to a BabyCenter staff member.
For the fastest help on community guidelines violations, please click 'Report this' on the item you wish the staff to review.
For general help please read our Help section or contact us.